asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that children of school-going age resident in the Finglas district cannot secure schooling accommodation, and that many are obliged to avail of distant temporary accommodation owing to extensive building development and the increased population; and, if so, whether he has taken any action to ensure the provision of primary, secondary and technical schools in Finglas area owing to the heavy cost of transporting children to city schools.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Provision of Schools in Finglas.
I am aware of the urgent need for the erection of new primary schools for children in the new housing areas at Finglas, and my Department is taking all possible action with a view to having these schools provided. Certain difficulties have, however, been encountered in the matter of making sites available, but I am hopeful that these will be resolved in the near future, and it will then be possible to proceed urgently with the completion of the other arrangements which are a necessary preliminary to the commencement of building operations.
Secondary schools are privately owned institutions, and I have no function with regard to their provision in any particular area. The provision of technical schools in any particular area is a matter, in the first instance, for the vocational education committee for the district.